Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1749, 22 September 1875, Page 2

Of all tbe extraordinary subjects selected for enlisting public sympathy that which called together a meeting last night at the Mechanics' was the most extraordinary. It was convened we understand to express sympathy with Mr Ar chard in reference to the late case, Greaves v. Archard. Mr Archard has personal knowledge that we have nothinggbut feelings of friendship and respect for him, so that he will not misunderstand us when we express our surprise at an effort to enlist "sympathy" in such a case. From the pnbli shed accounts of the case, it appears that Mr Archard proceeded to collect a debt due by a Mr Greaves, and, coming at night to the house while the husband was absent, he appears to have forced the door, and otherwise acted so violently as to have put the females of the establishment in mortal terror. And is this what the people are asked to sympathise with? By the wisdom of jurors Mr. Archard suffered but a nominal penalty, but does he, does Mr. Kirby, Mr. Severight, or any other think that this sort of thing is sympathised with by peopie who have homes and families ? It is wholly beside the question what difficulties may have attended the collection of this debt. Mr. Greaves may have been the biggest rogue or the honestest man in Auckland, but that such an act should have beeu performed in such circumstances, is simply unpardonable. We have every sympathy with that sense of wrong, under which the givers of credit suffer, and which on this occasion was evoked as the means of moving sympathy respecting an act, which we feel confident Mr Archard himself sincerely regrets. We know it is hard to be robbed by debtors. But we cannot say we have a very lively sense of the sufferings of Mr Kirby, when he says that owing to the doings of debtors, Auckland is becoming so " hot '*' for him that he must clear out. We presume nobody compels Mr Kirby to give credit; and the only help that we can see for him would be that the meeting should appoint a committee to look after him and prevent his good nature being imposed on. We make him a present of the proposal as a suggestion of our sympathy.

Some handsome specimens from the black reef of the Union Beach mine are now on view at the office of the company, Insurance Buildings, and also at the National Bank. The treasurer of the Orphan Home acknowledges with thanks a donation of five pounds from Dr Kenderdine. Joseph White was arrested to-day on a i charge of stealing £1 19s the property of I William Murray. The accused was lodging with Mr Murray and the money was found to be missing to-day. He will be brought up at the Police Court to-morrow to answer the charge. John Casey was taken into custody to-day charged with a breach of the .Naval Training School Act by harbouring John Kelly, an inmate of the school. The boy will be remembered as the lad who has so frequently escaped from the school, and it should serve as a warning to persons who may feel disposed to harbour boys under similar circumstances. "Whitebait at Greenwich" may be all very well, but if people cannot go to Greenwich for it, what are they to do ? Mr. R. Grattan answers this question by an intimation in another column, that he has arranged for a continuous supply during the season, and will serve it up daily in old Greenwich style from 12 to 3.

At the inquest, lit Id before R. O. Barstow, Esq., at the Manukau Hotel, en the body of the young manj Thomas Marks, who lost his life on Sunday morning in crossing a creek, the jury, after hearing the evidence, returned the common verdict of " Accidentally Drowned ;" adding as a rider — "That, in the opinion of the jury, a bridge should be erected over the Buia Creek for the safety of the tnen employed at the mills of Messrs Gibbons and Co."

The monthly inspection of the Victoria and Hobson Companies Rifle Volunteers was held- last evening under Major Gordon and the captains of the respective companies. The inspection was creditable to the men and they were complimented by Major Gordon.

To the Editor: Sir,—ln reply to Mr Dufaur's letter in your issue of Monday last, re that gentleman's name being enumerated in the list of members of committee of the Press Cricket Club, I beg leave to state it was owing to a " printer's error" that such a statement appeared in the columns of a morning journal. Mr Dnfaur is not a member of committee of the Press Cricket Club.— I am, etc., Ojsje of the Committee.

Eev P. P. Agnew will deliver his lecture on " Freemasonry this evening in the Lornestreet Hall. The brethren of the various lodges to appear in regalia. A large attendance of ladies as well as gentlemen is evidently looked for. This is the first occasion we remember on which the masons have attended a public entertainment in full regalia. The lecturer will expound the principles of masonry and shew exactly what position it assumes towards members and to the world without.

After the parade of No. 2 Company, A. R. V,, last night, a meeting was held to consider the state of the company, and to decide whetherit is advisable to carry on under existing circumstances, the company not yet having received their riflus. Lieutenant Skinner presided. A motion was proposed to the effect that, considering the unsatisfactory state of the corps in relation to their rifles it be forthwith disbanded. An amendment was proposed for the adjournment of the question until after the next monthly parade, in order to allow time for considering the whole position and gathering some information not now to hand. The amendment was carried. It is intended, meanwhile, to get another officer for the company, the duties being too heavy for one officer.

During Monday's warm sunshine, on the road to Onehunga, a very happy sort of an individual was sitting on the back of a' dray with legs dangling down, and his face, as he gszed on receding objects on the ground, was lit up with a smile indicative of the sunshine within his heart. Whether the heat of the sun, or something else, had affected his head it does not transpire, but the general smile was suddenly dispersed by a jolt of the dray which toppled the man over on his head— leaving him with a stiff neck and sore shoulder.

Yesterday morning a horse bolted through Newmarket, dragging behind him an express, and went with great speed and force against, the toll-gates, to the astonishment of Mr McGarry, who thought the place was going over, but was not so far astonished but to extr.-tct toll from the driver of the runaway team.

The really delightful dram 3, the " Home Wreck," -was repeated with equal success last evening at tbe Prince of Wales' Theatre, with Miss Carry George as Mary Tressider, Mr R. VV. Lawrence as Richard Tressider, and Miss Morgan as Martha Jellicoe. The piece was well patronised as on the previous evening, and was moving in many of its details. The several opening dances of the several acts were very amusing. Mos George was exquisite in her joy and sorrow, and depicted the opposite feelings with wonderful fidelity : in every phase of vicisitude she exhibited tbe true woman's conduct. Richard was admirably pourtrayed by Mr Lawrence, and his lonely situation in a Crusoe island, after the death of Captain Headway, was extremely pathetic. Cut off by the great waters from all connection with his kind, he wonders whether his faithful Mary is yet alive, and still true, and in the opening of the wild rocks the form of his lovely Mary appears, ar;gel-like. in a transparent world of bea ty, stretching out her arms towards him with the child of their marriage. This scene is extremely beautiful, and one which the eye dwells upon with poetic delight. Mr J. Sweeney was as successful as on the first appearance of the drama. Mr Collier's part as "Headway" was simple, and required but little effort in its realization as the captain of the Happy Return. Mr Charles dearie as Peter Pendoggett, the scratching, eccentric, heartless lawyer, was a great success, and gave immense pleasure to the audience, his dodges, attempts, and failures at making love with his singular " Wasper" ever at his heels, was intensely amusing and set the house in roars of laughter. We have rarely seen this smart young actor to such advantage, his "Peter" was one of the finest portraits of the evening. Without particularizing each individual actor of the cast, we may briefly state that the performances were quite equal to public expectations, tbe players played well, the orchestra sent forth sweet sounds of welcome, and the scenes were creditable to the painter, Mr Thornton. This first-class drama will be repeated tonight, and to-morrow night the entertainment will be "EastLynne," the scenes and characters from the novel of Mrs Henry Wood.

Last night, the Newmarket Hall Building ! Committee held their usual fortnightly meeting in the reading-room, —the Yen. Archdeacon Pritt occupying the chair. Mr Angus laid before the committee thn names of further contributors to the Hall Fund, which he had received during the week, having, in company with Mr Wriglev, waited on a fewgentlemen in the city. £20 was added to the amount promised up to the time of the last meeting, which is successful progress considering the depressed state of the times and the unostentatious manner in which the Building Committee pursue their meritorious work. Their ability to build the hall is now proved beyond dispute ; it remains with the public to say how imposing a structure shall be built, and to ensure the erection of a good building, it is desirable that all who can should contribute. Newmarket is increasing its boundaries, as a business place ; the line of shops has, during the last few years, been so far added to, that but few vacant allotments remain on the best part of the street frontage. On one of the allotments which the lire robbed of its building, a tine two storied house with front shop is likely to be built before Christmas. Mr Cameron advertises for tenders for the same. This, with the hall about to be built, will greatly add to the appearance and value of property. The next meeting of the Building Committee is on October sth.

The annual general meeting of the Auckland Rowing Club takes place this evening in the Club Room, Thames Hotel, at 7.30 p. m Members are specially requested to attend, also gentlemen who are desirous of joining the Club.

The town members of Nixon Light Horse (late Auckland Cavalry) will muster tomorrow (Thursday) evening, at half-past seven o'clock. Full uniform, with swords j by command of Captain Isaacs.

A meeting of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Society took place on Monday evening. Mr Hugh Willis read an extract from Sir Walter Scott's " Lay of the Last Minstrel." The Rev. F. Gould gave a reading from Shakespeare with good effect, and advised a more general' study of Shakespeare. An interesting discussion fallowed respecting the admission of ladies to the class, many members of the Association being anxious to admitthem, while others deemed it inexpedient to introduce innovations at present. The* subject is to be more fully discussed next Monday evening, when it is hoped that all members will endeavour to be present.

The members of the Good Samaritan Lodge held their second anniversary last evening, in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association. A plentiful tea was provided by the good sisters, after which, a literary and musical entertainment was held. Rev. Samuel Edger, B.A. was called to "the ohair supported by the Hon. Secretary and a number of sisters in regalia. The chairman delivered a long speech on the evils ot intemperance, and animadverted at length on the startling facts that one half of those who joined the Order fell away, and in spite of the efforts of Templars, there was no diminution in the number of drunkards or in the rapid consumption of the unhallowed drink; he trusted that the cailse which they had at heart would be progressive. MrOsmund Lewis reported the lodge as financially sound and healthy, and they had been able to put by about £15 towards a Templar harmonium. The Lodge had progressed and he believed that a more favourable report would be presented next year. Among the music, songs and ditties brought before the audience we may notice especially the selections by the rising Temperance Band, " Cushla Machree " and "Barney O'Hea" by sister Waymouth, from the songs of Samuel Lover, and the " Larboard Watch," in which she was joined by her husband, John Waymouth, the younger. "The Flower of Dunblane," Tannahill's beautiful scotch song, sung by Mr Carter ; " I want to kirs papa,'* very fairly sung by Mr Tudehope, but almost too small a song for a young man of Mr Tadehope's stature and voice. " When the swallows homeward fiy " was well rendered by sister Bettany considering this was the lady's debut in public as a songstress; Sisters Bashell, Hughes, and Jessie Woods eaug with much acceptance several well-known melodies, and Mr Allen re-appeared with his comic history of Robinson Crusoe. Messrs Hill and Swinnerton interestad the company with the " Emmeline Waltzes" (instrumental) which were followed with expressions of pleasure. As a whole the performances were good, and at the close votes of thanks were accorded to the chairman, the band, and the various caterers of tbe evening.

A full attendance was the result of the Clair Troupe call in favour of widow Johnson, and her helpless family, in the Catholic Institute last evening. An excellent band was present, and the musical members played some excellent overtures and selections with much skill. The comic songs, Irish comicalities, " Merry little Mokes, " and the farce of the "Haunted Hruse" gave great satisfaction to all present. The character of the entertainment was diverting and instructive, commencing with a scene from Shakespeare's "King John," which was ably represented by Mr H. N. Thornton and his daughter, Miss Amy Thornton : the father delineating Hubert, and the daughter, the Prince. The baas songs by Mr W. Walker were rendered with much ability, and deservedly applauded. We have seldom heard the now-popular song of the " Sexton" and the^well-known ballad "Down by the Deep, Sad Sea," piven with greater taste. " I Fancy I've Seen you Before.*' was prettily sung by Miss Thornton ; also, the " Gipsy's Warning," by a young lady. The comic songs of Mr Dean were highly applauded, and each were encored. Messrs. E. Clair and E. Hoggard were quite at home in their much-admired golden-shoe dance - a performance in which they excel; tbe former gentleman, in company with Mr E. Ward, gave great satisfaction with the " Merry Little Mokes," which . provoked immense laughter. Ihe horizontal bar feat, by Messrs Elder and Wilson, was faultless, and requires no comment ; their activity was remarkable. Mr J. McLean assisted with a comic song Songs, more or less noticeable, were eiven by Messrs Raymond, Douglas, and Wood ; and a capital recitation by Mr A. Smith, who^e recital of Tennyson's "Charge of the Li.ht Brigade" is an evidence of his proficiency as an elocutionist. Mr E. Ciair desire 3us to thank Mr Thornton for his kind assistance, and also the Temperance Band for its services. A quadrille party was subsequently formed, and dancing was kept up through the night.

The Hobson Band Minstrel? will give a grand Soiree D'Ethiop to-morrow (Thursday) evening in the City Hall, the proceeds to be given to the fund for liquidating the deht on the grounds and improvements in conjunction with the convent, school?, and Church of St. John the Baptist, Parnell. The programme is large, varied, and interesting, consisting of a musical bouquet, " Scenes from the Circus," "The Wild Beast Show," arid tbe dramatic fragment, "Murder Will Out." Several excellent ballads will be sung by popular amateurs, aDd the favorites, Bertie and Seton, in their double song and dance, "She's my Sugar Plum." The entertainment is worthy of success, and should command it.

Notice.—Our premises 130 and 132, Queenstreet, will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday the 22nd and 23rd instant, for the purpose of marking down the stock, and will re-open on Friday, the 24th instant, when the whole of the stock will be sold off regardless of cost.—S. & J. B. Vaile, National Mart, 130 and 132, Queen-street.— [Advt.]

A meeting convened by Mr. W. Kirby, was held in the Mechanic's Institute last night, for the purpose of expressing sympathy with Mr. Archard in the case of Greaves v. Archard. The attendance was small. Mr. George Staines was voted to the chair. Mr. Kirby spoke in advocacy of the formation of a Trade Protection Society to prevent tradesmen from being victimised by persons who contracted debts without any intention of paying them. He declared there were furty Pfamilies in Auckland who supported themselves in this way flitting from one neighbourhood to another by night. He thought Mr. Archard was deserving of sympathy for the cost he had been put to in recovering his deht from Mr. Greaves, and moved a resolution expressive of that sentiment. Mr. Sieveright seconded, pro forma. Mr Archard thanked them for their sympathy, and after Mr. Kirby had explained the manner in which he had frequently beeu victimised, the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Mr Lyou, the business manager of Chevalier Blondin, has been actively engaged during the last day or two making preparations for the arrival of that distinguished hero of a thousand dangers, who is expected to arrive in Auckland in January next.

The monthly inspection of the Auckland Scottish Volunteers will take place to-morrow (Thursday) evening, in the Drill-shed ; members to appear in undress uniform, with arms and accoutrements.

To the Editor. Sir,—l regret that the meetings of the Good Templars in this city are so frequently disturbed by noisy boys, as was the case last night at the meeting of the "Good Samaritans," while they were doing their best to heal the wounds of drunkenness by pouring into wounded hearts the oil and wine of the entertainment. The rude urchins, who called themselves "Rechabites," were clustered together as though fully determined to disturb the meeting ; so turbulent were these lads, and so talkative were some of the converted adults, that it was impossible to hear distinctly the speeches of the brethren. One youngster wich a red unkempt head and colonial brow, said "bother the talk ; I wish they would cut it, Dick, and have a spelling bee; there is some fun in bees." "Hush!" said his more modest mate, " You'll be turned out." A laugh followed, and the tittering continued. I think, Mr. Editor, that steps should be taken to suppress these disturbers by the Templar birch.—Rechab Smike.

A Tonic Sol-fa musical entertainment will be held in Ponsonby Hall on Friday evening next, for which a good programme has been prepared. A novelty will also be introduced to the members, namely, a test piece of music not previously seen by any of the members of the society.

Mr Joseph Brown's singing class will m future, be held at J. Brown and Son's music warehouse, Queen-street.